Category Archives: Holidays

So, we like to make bucket lists (even though half the time we don’t fulfill them), but it is still so much fun!! For Christmas, we usually do finish our bucket lists because there is so much to do and it is my favorite time of the year! We are so excited about all the fun we plan on having this Holiday Season!!

When it comes to stocking stuffers, some people just ignore them all together and think of them as unimportant! Stocking stuffers are a great way to get everyone things they need or cheaper items on their lists! Totally stumped on what to get for stocking stuffers, never fear, our great big list of Stocking Stuffers is here!!! I have linked most of the products to my favorite finds that you can order online!!

Hey everyone! Here is part 1 of our series about The Best Christmas Ever- Christmas Shopping on a budget!! In this post we are going to discuss the basics of shopping frugally for Christmas Gifts!

Make your list, and check it twice!

I have found that it works out great to make a list and set a budget early on! I use the Christmas Gift List app for android that allows me to make lists and budgets for each person! Now I used to not be a list person. The thought of creating a list for anything made my skin crawl, especially Christmas lists. However, I have come to embrace the list and find it extremely helpful in staying on budget and on task. Here is how I set up my list:

Immediate family members and important family members and friends each get their own name down on the list for their main gifts.

EX: Hubby, Izzy, Debra, Mom, Dad, Coleman, Grandma, Bayda, etc…

Immediate family members get their name followed by stocking stuffers

EX: Hubby- Stocking Stuffers, Izzy- Stocking Stuffers, etc…

Not so close family members, friends, or people you are going to buy the same kind of gift for get ONE category on the list

EX: Ladies, Guys, Little Girls, Little Boys

Gift EX: Lotion Sets, spa kits

Teachers and extra-curricular teachers usually get a category to themselves

Ms. Collins & Ms. Kerry

Set a budget for each category. Immediate family gets the highest budget, and it goes down from there. I usually do about $10-$15 per teacher and not so close family (distant cousins, etc…) get around $5 each (total budget for this category should be 5 x however many people you are buying for). I hope that made sense and did not confuse the heck out of everyone!!

Now that you have brainstormed who all you are going to buy for, start coming up with gift ideas, but don’t put down prices yet. Be vague or be detailed, it is all up to you.

Hubby- Boots, tools, tool box

Hubby- Stocking Stuffers- Headphones, trial sized shower gel

Ladies- Germ Ex from Bath and Body Works, Victoria Secret Body Splash

Ms. Collins- Nail Polish, socks, mug

After that I usually start to research my items and put down prices and get super detailed. This does not need to be done all in one day! You can even do it as you buy stuff! Just make sure you are within budget and not going on a crazy spending spree. Shop around and do research!!!

Happy Independence Day everyone! It is 1:15 am here in Oklahoma. I can’t sleep due to the excessive firework play happening on the next street over, so I decided, why not post on my blog!!! I will be posting a picture of my red, white, and blue make up later today! First, I think we should talk about 4th of July safety! I mean I have done my fair share of drinking beer and playing with explosives, but is it really the best idea to put 15 black cats into a red diamond sweet tea bottle with your child eagerly watching (this is for my hubby who thinks this is the most fun you can have)… Probably not. So here is my list of 4th of July safety tips especially around children and fireworks.

Never leave alcoholic drinks where children and pets can get to them. Alcohol can pose serious threats to children and pets. Make sure you keep it out of their reach.’

Never let young children light or play with fireworks. Fireworks are EXPLOSIVES. Would you give your kid a lighter and a few sticks of dynamite? I don’t think so, so why would you let them light and play with Roman Candles or Black Cats. 200 people on average go the emergency room every day with fireworks-related injuries in the month around the July 4th holiday. Don’t let your child (or husband) be one of them.

Avoid buying fireworks that are packaged in brown paper. This is often a sign that the fireworks were made for professional displays and that they could pose a danger to consumers.

Always have an adult supervise fireworks activities. Parents don’t realize that young children suffer injuries from sparklers. Sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees – hot enough to melt some metals.

Never place any part of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse. Back up to a safe distance immediately after lighting fireworks.

Never try to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not ignited fully. My rule has always been to stay away from the firework for at least 30 minutes and then pour water over it, but don’t hold me to it. That is just how we do things in my family.

Never point or throw fireworks at another person. DUH!! See #1 about the Dynamite…

Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishap. Once again I am referring to my hubby and his addiction to putting black cats inside stuff…

Light fireworks one at a time, then move back quickly.

Never carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them off in metal or glass containers.

After fireworks complete their burning, douse the spent device with plenty of water from a bucket or hose before discarding it to prevent a trash fire.

Make sure fireworks are legal in your area before buying or using them.

For safe firework fun, go to a local PROFESSIONAL fireworks display!!

Have a happy and safe 4th of July and I will talk to you later with my 4th of July make up tutorial!

Stay Chic,

Avoid buying fireworks that are packaged in brown paper because this is often a sign that the fireworks were made for professional displays and that they could pose a danger to consumers.